Meet the site
Beyond the Lena, Bunbury has a set of offshore reefs that few visitors know about. Octopus Garden Dive Charters lists them by name on its dive page: Blade Coral Reef at 30-33 m (Advanced Open Water required), the Horseshoe Coral Reefs and Lena Coral Reef at 15-20 m, Trevor's Horseshoe Reef at 15 m, Gibbs South Reef formation, Peter's North and South Reefs and the Leather Jacket Caves at 10-12 m, and coral lumps north of Bunbury, at 'The Huts' and off Peppy Beach at 10-18 m. The operator also runs trips to Busselton's Four Mile Reef and the Busselton Jetty.
The names indicate what to expect: hard and soft coral growth on limestone reefs and lumps (the Leeuwin Current carries warm water and coral larvae down this coast), with ledges and small caves in places. Geographe Bay's reefs are known for colourful sponges, corals and nudibranchs, and larger fish such as pink snapper, dhufish, samson fish and wobbegong sharks are possible.
Because the only published information is the operator's list of sites and depths, the sites are grouped here in one record; individual descriptions and positions should be obtained from Octopus Garden. They suit Open Water divers on the shallower reefs and Advanced divers on Blade Coral Reef, and offer a good second dive after the Lena on a Bunbury charter.
Geographe Bay is unusual on the WA coast because it faces north, so the prevailing south-westerly swell and sea breeze that close the ocean coast are largely blocked by Cape Naturaliste. That shelter, plus the warm Leeuwin Current, is what makes the bay's reefs, jetties and wrecks diveable for much of the year, and why winter north-westerly storms are the main thing that shuts it down.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Bunbury Offshore Coral Reefs is recorded as Reef in Geographe Bay & Busselton. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Bunbury Offshore Coral Reefs suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Bunbury Offshore Coral Reefs through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Hard and soft corals, sponges, nudibranchs, leatherjackets, western king wrasse, pink snapper, dhufish, samson fish, wobbegong sharks
Location
A series of offshore coral reefs and coral lumps off Bunbury in 10-33 m, dived by Octopus Garden Dive Charters from Casuarina Boat Harbour.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
octopusgardendivecharters.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.